The role of a water Meter Data Management System (MDMS) is not well defined within the industry. Many products on the market claim to provide MDM functionality, but few people understand the value of what these systems offer.

Robin Gilthorpe, chief executive officer of seven-year-old WaterSmart Software Inc., says he now sees “a good steady flow of capital and entrepreneurs into the water sector.” His company, which was Kremen’s first investment, uses data to help water utilities improve their operations.

By leveraging an omni-channel, multi-modal Total Customer Engagement platform that provides for push and pull data flows, automated and semi-automated messaging capabilities, and self-service resolution workflows, water utilities will be best situated to take advantage of the many benefits that accrue from higher levels of customer engagement, lower customer service costs, and improved customer satisfaction levels.

Based in San Francisco, WaterSmart Software Inc. specializes in water efficiency and data analysis. It’s the communications software that could work in tandem with Ferguson to record, store and interpret all the data from a new radio-signal water-meter system.